Need recommendation for attorney in Guangzhou or Chengdu

[K1Warrior 0]

I'm looking for an attorney in Guangzou or Chengdu China who speaks Mandarin and English, licensed and in good standing in China and licensed in at least one U.S. jurisdiction, limits their practice to immigration cases and is a member of the American BAR Association. Preferably a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association AILA. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Backstory:

I'm confident that my girl and myself can accomplish the K1 visa application process and interview ourselves but would prefer an attorney to assist us. We began the visa process with the first step being to find an attorney. If the attorney gives bad advice they can be held liable. I have had the consultation interview with three attorneys in America and I have asked my girl to find an attorney in China. She found a visa consultation service with an attorney on staff. My girl has a two year old daughter. The IM attorney I consulted with at my law firm, Stoel Rives, stated we need the child's father's written permission releasing the child to travel to the U.S. on a K2 visa. My research supports this. The visa consultant in Chengdu said the father's permission is not necessary. Now it's an he said she said thing. Another consultant told her the father's release is not necessary at the beginning of the process but the document must be provided at the time of the interview. My research shows otherwise. I convinced my girl that based on these discrepancies alone that it's enough of a reason to hire an attorney. Two days later she has found another consultant. I've waisted two weeks discussing this issue with my girl with a vicious circle of convincing her of the need for an attorney then her pushing for a consultant company. Also I need advice whether to bring the child on a K2 based on her K1 Fiance visa or get married in America then bring the child over. I have found an attorney in America but prefer an attorney in Guangzhou. It's worth it to me to hire an attorney knowing I'm getting good advice. Then over the next year my girl and I don't have to discuss the China vs U.S. contradictions in advice regarding the process. It's worth the $3,000.00 for both visas to allow my girl and myself to focus more on our relationship and less on the visa process.

Thank you

David

[Hell0W0rld 10]

there is a VISA consultant company inside the Consulate in Guangzhou, they say that they have an attorney on hand, maybe you can check it out.

Edited August 26, 2009 by HelloWorld08

[payxibka 10,047]

moving to regional forum

[endoftheroad 1]

I'm looking for an attorney in Guangzou or Chengdu China who speaks Mandarin and English, licensed and in good standing in China and licensed in at least one U.S. jurisdiction, limits their practice to immigration cases and is a member of the American BAR Association. Preferably a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association AILA. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Can't help you with lawyers, we used a consultant (see the 'before I make a mistake' thread.

[K1Warrior 0]

there is a VISA consultant company inside the Consulate in Guangzhou, they say that they have an attorney on hand, maybe you can check it out.

Thank you for the information. Is the visa consultation company you are referring to called Guangdong MCD Consultants? My girl talked to them a couple of weeks ago and is pushing me to hire them. The firm is not licensed to practice law in the U.S. and not a member of the American BAR Association. MCD is currently my back up plan. Thanks for the response.

[Yi & Eric 0]

Well, to start with, you have no understanding of lawyer qualifications. US attorneys have no relation to PRC attorneys. To find an attorney who is both admitted any any jurisdiction in the US and qualified as a PRC attorney and who practices immigration, fiance visa law is next to impossible. You are also confused about administrative law practice in a US foreign consulate, which has no relation to whether someone is admitted to practice law in a foreign jurisdiction. Review Form G-28 for that answer. No chinese lawyer can complete that form.

The issues concerning fiance visas deal with laws of the United States and not China. You need a lawyer admitted to practice in any state in the U.S., which may also require admission in a federal bar with the disputed administrative or appeal proceeding is being adjudicated. There are a number of lawyers who have been identified on this site and the internet who appear to be more than competent, but no lawyer can cure defects in your case. Good lawyers tell you what you need to hear not what you want to hear.

Chinese visa consultants provide services to faciliate paperwork, translations, and educating the chinese fiance, who knows nothing of these processes. Chinese business methods to obtain necessary paperwork for the visa process and other issues are unique to China and something no US lawyer could overcome while in the states. When such issues are presented, these Chinese visa consultants can accomplish many things. If you do anticipate problems of any kind, you may want to obtain these services which in many cases have been proven to be invaluable. No US lawyer can provide these services and would not even know where to begin, whether by region, dialect, or protocal.

You also seem to reject the prudent recommendations of US lawyers without any basis, except for reference to non-qualified positions to the contrary. The advice the US lawyers gave you is correct, based on the information in this thread. The consulate will require extensive information about the child's father and his consent to travel to the US, which is otherwise a "red flag" and visa fraud. As someone starting on this journey, you will learn of chinese women who fake divorce from their husband, marry a western man, move to the US, divorce that western man, and then file K1/K2 for their ex-husand and child to migrate to the US. The consulate is aware of those issues.

Finally, you confuse "liability" of a lawyer, as it means a threat of legal malpractice. What would be your damages, assuming you have any? Your relationship is rejected by the US government in an administrative proceeding after full and complete review, only for you to then try to prove in a legal malpractice action that you were somehow entitled to a visa based upon the very same facts rejected by the US government. That is no small task since the US government has unlimited discretion on such matters -- and your file already shows signs of rejection which is why you are shopping around for someone to give you the answer you want to hear not what you need to hear.

I believe you will be able to obtain your objectives if you seek competent legal counsel, have the patience to endure the long visa process, and know that the consulate will adjudicate your file as fairly as the law provides for (like for tens of thousands each year). Starting a visa journey with such doubt is not a good thing. But everyone must chose their own path and I wish you best regards on the one you now walk on.

E

[pushbrk 13,181]

I'm looking for an attorney in Guangzou or Chengdu China who speaks Mandarin and English, licensed and in good standing in China and licensed in at least one U.S. jurisdiction, limits their practice to immigration cases and is a member of the American BAR Association. Preferably a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association AILA. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Backstory:

I'm confident that my girl and myself can accomplish the K1 visa application process and interview ourselves but would prefer an attorney to assist us. We began the visa process with the first step being to find an attorney. If the attorney gives bad advice they can be held liable. I have had the consultation interview with three attorneys in America and I have asked my girl to find an attorney in China. She found a visa consultation service with an attorney on staff. My girl has a two year old daughter. The IM attorney I consulted with at my law firm, Stoel Rives, stated we need the child's father's written permission releasing the child to travel to the U.S. on a K2 visa. My research supports this. The visa consultant in Chengdu said the father's permission is not necessary. Now it's an he said she said thing. Another consultant told her the father's release is not necessary at the beginning of the process but the document must be provided at the time of the interview. My research shows otherwise. I convinced my girl that based on these discrepancies alone that it's enough of a reason to hire an attorney. Two days later she has found another consultant. I've waisted two weeks discussing this issue with my girl with a vicious circle of convincing her of the need for an attorney then her pushing for a consultant company. Also I need advice whether to bring the child on a K2 based on her K1 Fiance visa or get married in America then bring the child over. I have found an attorney in America but prefer an attorney in Guangzhou. It's worth it to me to hire an attorney knowing I'm getting good advice. Then over the next year my girl and I don't have to discuss the China vs U.S. contradictions in advice regarding the process. It's worth the $3,000.00 for both visas to allow my girl and myself to focus more on our relationship and less on the visa process.

Thank you

David

I'm PM'd you my recommendation but I can confirm that a Notarial translation of a Chinese divorce decree that indicates the mother has "custody" is all that is needed in China. The attorney you consulted would have been correct for nearly any other country. China is unique. If you hire somebody, make sure they know the specific procedures for China.

[Darnell 8,479]

1. the permission letter, if needed, is presented at the interview, on interview day.

2. she may not need a permision letter - it all depends on how the divorce decree is worded. If it says the mother is to '100 percent foster the child' (this will be the literal english translation) , then the father is totally out of the picture, and as such, has no 'permission' to give.

3. review the divorce decree - what's it say about 'fostering' ?

4. I suggest K2, prior to marriage in USA. Why seperate the child from it's mother? Makes for unhappy mother, IMO.

Edited August 31, 2009 by Darnell

[Larry0413 0]

I'm looking for an attorney in Guangzou or Chengdu China who speaks Mandarin and English, licensed and in good standing in China and licensed in at least one U.S. jurisdiction, limits their practice to immigration cases and is a member of the American BAR Association. Preferably a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association AILA. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Backstory:

I'm confident that my girl and myself can accomplish the K1 visa application process and interview ourselves but would prefer an attorney to assist us. We began the visa process with the first step being to find an attorney. If the attorney gives bad advice they can be held liable. I have had the consultation interview with three attorneys in America and I have asked my girl to find an attorney in China. She found a visa consultation service with an attorney on staff. My girl has a two year old daughter. The IM attorney I consulted with at my law firm, Stoel Rives, stated we need the child's father's written permission releasing the child to travel to the U.S. on a K2 visa. My research supports this. The visa consultant in Chengdu said the father's permission is not necessary. Now it's an he said she said thing. Another consultant told her the father's release is not necessary at the beginning of the process but the document must be provided at the time of the interview. My research shows otherwise. I convinced my girl that based on these discrepancies alone that it's enough of a reason to hire an attorney. Two days later she has found another consultant. I've waisted two weeks discussing this issue with my girl with a vicious circle of convincing her of the need for an attorney then her pushing for a consultant company. Also I need advice whether to bring the child on a K2 based on her K1 Fiance visa or get married in America then bring the child over. I have found an attorney in America but prefer an attorney in Guangzhou. It's worth it to me to hire an attorney knowing I'm getting good advice. Then over the next year my girl and I don't have to discuss the China vs U.S. contradictions in advice regarding the process. It's worth the $3,000.00 for both visas to allow my girl and myself to focus more on our relationship and less on the visa process.

Thank you

David

I'm looking for an attorney in Guangzou or Chengdu China who speaks Mandarin and English, licensed and in good standing in China and licensed in at least one U.S. jurisdiction, limits their practice to immigration cases and is a member of the American BAR Association. Preferably a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association AILA. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Backstory:

I'm confident that my girl and myself can accomplish the K1 visa application process and interview ourselves but would prefer an attorney to assist us. We began the visa process with the first step being to find an attorney. If the attorney gives bad advice they can be held liable. I have had the consultation interview with three attorneys in America and I have asked my girl to find an attorney in China. She found a visa consultation service with an attorney on staff. My girl has a two year old daughter. The IM attorney I consulted with at my law firm, Stoel Rives, stated we need the child's father's written permission releasing the child to travel to the U.S. on a K2 visa. My research supports this. The visa consultant in Chengdu said the father's permission is not necessary. Now it's an he said she said thing. Another consultant told her the father's release is not necessary at the beginning of the process but the document must be provided at the time of the interview. My research shows otherwise. I convinced my girl that based on these discrepancies alone that it's enough of a reason to hire an attorney. Two days later she has found another consultant. I've waisted two weeks discussing this issue with my girl with a vicious circle of convincing her of the need for an attorney then her pushing for a consultant company. Also I need advice whether to bring the child on a K2 based on her K1 Fiance visa or get married in America then bring the child over. I have found an attorney in America but prefer an attorney in Guangzhou. It's worth it to me to hire an attorney knowing I'm getting good advice. Then over the next year my girl and I don't have to discuss the China vs U.S. contradictions in advice regarding the process. It's worth the $3,000.00 for both visas to allow my girl and myself to focus more on our relationship and less on the visa process.

Thank you

David

I'm looking for an attorney in Guangzou or Chengdu China who speaks Mandarin and English, licensed and in good standing in China and licensed in at least one U.S. jurisdiction, limits their practice to immigration cases and is a member of the American BAR Association. Preferably a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association AILA. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Backstory:

I'm confident that my girl and myself can accomplish the K1 visa application process and interview ourselves but would prefer an attorney to assist us. We began the visa process with the first step being to find an attorney. If the attorney gives bad advice they can be held liable. I have had the consultation interview with three attorneys in America and I have asked my girl to find an attorney in China. She found a visa consultation service with an attorney on staff. My girl has a two year old daughter. The IM attorney I consulted with at my law firm, Stoel Rives, stated we need the child's father's written permission releasing the child to travel to the U.S. on a K2 visa. My research supports this. The visa consultant in Chengdu said the father's permission is not necessary. Now it's an he said she said thing. Another consultant told her the father's release is not necessary at the beginning of the process but the document must be provided at the time of the interview. My research shows otherwise. I convinced my girl that based on these discrepancies alone that it's enough of a reason to hire an attorney. Two days later she has found another consultant. I've waisted two weeks discussing this issue with my girl with a vicious circle of convincing her of the need for an attorney then her pushing for a consultant company. Also I need advice whether to bring the child on a K2 based on her K1 Fiance visa or get married in America then bring the child over. I have found an attorney in America but prefer an attorney in Guangzhou. It's worth it to me to hire an attorney knowing I'm getting good advice. Then over the next year my girl and I don't have to discuss the China vs U.S. contradictions in advice regarding the process. It's worth the $3,000.00 for both visas to allow my girl and myself to focus more on our relationship and less on the visa process.

Thank you

David

I'm looking for an attorney in Guangzou or Chengdu China who speaks Mandarin and English, licensed and in good standing in China and licensed in at least one U.S. jurisdiction, limits their practice to immigration cases and is a member of the American BAR Association. Preferably a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association AILA. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Backstory:

I'm confident that my girl and myself can accomplish the K1 visa application process and interview ourselves but would prefer an attorney to assist us. We began the visa process with the first step being to find an attorney. If the attorney gives bad advice they can be held liable. I have had the consultation interview with three attorneys in America and I have asked my girl to find an attorney in China. She found a visa consultation service with an attorney on staff. My girl has a two year old daughter. The IM attorney I consulted with at my law firm, Stoel Rives, stated we need the child's father's written permission releasing the child to travel to the U.S. on a K2 visa. My research supports this. The visa consultant in Chengdu said the father's permission is not necessary. Now it's an he said she said thing. Another consultant told her the father's release is not necessary at the beginning of the process but the document must be provided at the time of the interview. My research shows otherwise. I convinced my girl that based on these discrepancies alone that it's enough of a reason to hire an attorney. Two days later she has found another consultant. I've waisted two weeks discussing this issue with my girl with a vicious circle of convincing her of the need for an attorney then her pushing for a consultant company. Also I need advice whether to bring the child on a K2 based on her K1 Fiance visa or get married in America then bring the child over. I have found an attorney in America but prefer an attorney in Guangzhou. It's worth it to me to hire an attorney knowing I'm getting good advice. Then over the next year my girl and I don't have to discuss the China vs U.S. contradictions in advice regarding the process. It's worth the $3,000.00 for both visas to allow my girl and myself to focus more on our relationship and less on the visa process.

Thank you

David

[Larry0413 0]

hello david i have consulted a firm in Guangzhu (in the same building as the US Consulate) the appeared to be very knowledgeable and spoke both English and Mandrin. They are licensed in Seattle, WA ....their web site www.gzglobal.net....it would be worth researching.

[endoftheroad 1]

hello david i have consulted a firm in Guangzhu (in the same building as the US Consulate) the appeared to be very knowledgeable and spoke both English and Mandrin. They are licensed in Seattle, WA ....their web site www.gzglobal.net....it would be worth researching.

A USA company.

Global Visa Consulting Center (GVCC) is who they are.

[jim404sea 0]

hello david i have consulted a firm in Guangzhu (in the same building as the US Consulate) the appeared to be very knowledgeable and spoke both English and Mandrin. They are licensed in Seattle, WA ....their web site www.gzglobal.net....it would be worth researching.

A USA company.

Global Visa Consulting Center (GVCC) is who they are.

This is the firm that Peter Paget worked with, but no one has been able to contact him since before the Olympics. Instead, there is someone there named Tim who lets people think he is a lawyer, but he is actually an ex-CPA. He will get as much money as he can up front with lots of promises to the wife who is not US-law savvy, but you will not get a direct answer to even the simplest questions. He says don't worry, you don't need to sign a contract, he will just be making a contract with the wife and representing her. He says he will accept the rest of the payment after the visa is issued and then he will hand the visa over to the wife.

It is, of course, just a shade unlikely that he would ever have physical possession of the visa in the 1st place - just one of many things wrong with what he claims.

Do not trust GVCC !

[gyi 1]

Marc Ellis is an attorney who does legal work for visa applicants, in Vietnam and Guangzhou (GUZ) if you are still looking for an attorney. marcellislaw@gmail.com

[Darnell 8,479]

K1Warrior - hey - what'd you find out, and you making any progress?